Subterranean chamber waterproofing system

Abstract

An elongate drainage conduit section comprises a channel portion having at least one perforated surface allowing liquid to flow into the channel, and at least one lower surface for directing the flow of water in a lengthwise direction. The conduit further comprises an elongate, movable cover for sealing at least a portion of the top of said channel portion.

1 . A drainage conduit system for an at least partially subterranean room having a floor, the system comprising:
 a subfloor drain channel arranged to be disposed under the floor when installed; and   a channel cleaning entryway through the floor for hand cleaning of the subfloor drain channel when installed, the entryway extending along a part of the length of the drain channel and communicating with an adjoining longitudinal portion of the subfloor drain channel without through floor entry adjacent the entryway and forming hand cleaning access to the subfloor drain channel and the adjoining portion.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the drain channel has a movable closure closing the cleaning entryway, the closure being disposed on the drain channel to be movable relative to and allow opening of the cleaning entryway when the drain channel is installed. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the closure is a cover removably connected to the drain channel to cover the cleaning entryway when installed. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the drain channel has detents for receiving and forming locking engagement with locking members of the cover locking the cover in position closing the cleaning entryway. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the room has the floor disposed over footings, the subfloor drain channel being arranged to be disposed over the footing and under the surface of the floor when installed. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the drain channel has a wall flashing with a back disposed for contacting a wall of the room, when the drain channel is installed, and defining another drain channel between the wall and wall flashing. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein the cleaning entryway accesses the other drain channel for hand cleaning thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein the wall flashing forms a removable cover closing the cleaning entryway, the cover being disposed on the drain channel to allow removal and opening of the cleaning entryway when the drain channel is installed. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the drain channel is of unitary construction and has an opening therein forming the channel cleaning entryway, the opening being sized and shaped so that drain channel perimeter surfaces are substantially freely accessible by hand. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the drain channel has a projecting member for engaging the floor and stably holding a free edge of the cleaning entryway when the drain channel is installed. 
     
     
         11 . A drainage conduit system for an at least partially subterranean room having a floor over footings and a wall, the system comprising:
 a subfloor drain channel having drainage features, the channel arranged to be disposed under the floor and over the footing when installed, the drain channel comprising;   a subfloor channel section having an opening extending along part of the length of the channel and communicating with an adjoining longitudinal portion of the subfloor drain channel that is offset from and to adjacent the opening, the opening extending through the floor and allowing access through the floor for inspection of the drain channel and the adjoining longitudinal portion without through floor entry and for removal out through the opening of residue buildup in the drain channel and the adjoining longitudinal portion when the drain channel is installed; and   a closure movably connected to the subfloor channel section to close the opening, the closure being adapted to be movable relative to the channel section to open and close the opening when the drain channel is installed.   
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein the closure is a cover removably connected to the drain channel to cover the cleaning entryway when installed. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the closure and channel section have conformal detents adapted for interlocking the channel section and closure to each other when the closure is closed. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the closure includes a wall flashing, the wall flashing having a back with spacers, wherein when installed, the wall flashing extends above the floor and the spacers contact the wall to form a drain channel passage between the wall flashing and wall. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein the closure is of unitary construction and the drain channel passage is accessible for inspection and cleaning through the opening. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein the channel section includes a wall flashing, the wall flashing having a back with spacers, wherein when installed, the wall flashing extends above the floor and the spacers contact the wall to form a drain channel passage between the wall flashing and wall. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 16 , wherein the channel section is of unitary construction and the drain channel passage is accessible for inspection and cleaning through the opening. 
     
     
         18 . A method for cleaning a subfloor drain conduit system of a partially subterranean room having a floor, the drain conduit system having a drain channel section disposed under the floor when installed, the method comprising:
 providing the drain channel section with a closable opening that extends through the floor when the drain channel section is installed;   opening the closable opening; and   removing residue buildup inside the subfloor drain conduit system through the opening, the closeable opening extending along a part of the length of the drain channel section and communicating with an adjoining longitudinal portion of the drain channel section without through floor entry adjacent the closeable opening and forming access to the part of the length of the drain channel and the adjoining portion.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the drain channel section has walls defining a drain channel, and wherein opening the closable opening exposes for visual inspection substantially the whole width of the drain channel. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein removing comprises hand lifting the residue buildup through the opening.